Eastern Madagascar is perhaps the least explored of Madagascar's regions in the 21st century but in colonial times it was the centre of a vibrant trade route from the east, via Africa, to Europe. It is home to wetlands, mangroves, rivers lakes and rainforests with the mountainous spine of Madagascar as a constant backdrop. We will visit 8 of Madagascar's 18 tribes, making this an ideal trip for those interested in portrait and street photography and Madagascan culture. On this trip you will travel by boat and 4X4, stay in hotels in vibrant ex-colonial towns and camp in tranquil villages.

Leaving the capital we travel to the amazing Andasibe National Park a 155 square kilometre protected area, located about 150 km east of Antananarivo, consisting principally of primary growth forest alive with amphibians, birdlife and lemurs. Birders will delight in knowing that the rare blue coua bird is found within these damp montane forests. One of the highlights of the trip will be the walk through the forest to see and hear Indri as Andasibe is the only place in the world you can see the hauntingly calls of the Indri lemur. 

From here we head east for our boat trip along the Pangalanes Canal.

The canal was formed by French colonialist by linking a series of lakes to facilitate trade by creating safe means of transport along the treacherous east coast. The origional canal ran 665km from Toamasina to Vangaindrano. It was created. Long since neglected as a trade route by big business, local people still make good use of the waterways. A boat trip along the canal is a peaceful and relaxing way to watch life pass you by. Each day we will disembark and stay in a simple hotel in one of the small towns along the coast.

In the next section of our trip we head on the road least traveled, experiencing eastern Madagascar at its most pristine. Expect to buy fish of the fishermen at tiny villages along the coast, drive through coffee, lichee, cassava, rice and banana fields staying in little explore seaside towns every night. 

After several days travelling through small towns and villages we arrive in Antansara, the home village of Miremby founder Tsiraiky. Here we will dig deep into village life, taking a walk with the zebu herders, exploring the hills, harvesting vanilla, bananas. oranges and coffee. We can even take a boat trip to a special natural pool by the sea!

Leaving this rural paradise we cross several rivers by ferry and arrive in Sainte Luce, the original landing spot of the French in Madagascar. The coast forests here forests make up a highly important area for some of southeastern Madagascar’s rarest endemic flora and fauna. Four species of lemurs can be seen on day and night walks; Red-collared Brown Lemur (Eulemur collaris), Southern Wooley lemurs the Sainte Luce Mouse Lemur (Microcebus saintelucei), and if you are lucky, fat tailed dwarf lemur. The wetlands surrounding the village ensure an abundance of birds; Purple heron, Humblot’s heron, Meller’s duck, Madagascar crested ibis, France’s sparrow hawk, Madagascar nightjar, African palm swift, Madagascar malachite kingfisher, Pygmy kingfisher, Madagascar bulbul, Madagascar magpie-robin, Hook-billed vanga, Common jery, Souimanga sunbird, Madagascar white-eye are also possible. Chameleons, geckos, tenrec and tree frogs will be seen in the forests, while a pirogue ride across the lake takes us to the roost of the flying foxes. Hump back and southern right whales appear seasonally in the bay and can be watched from the shore or a whale watching trip can be arranged. The flora in and around the forest is dominated by buttress-rooted pandanus palms, and includes the very rare Sainte Luce palm (Dypsis saintelucei) of which only around 100 mature individuals survive. On your Miremby tour we will introduce you to local mahampy weavers where you can and spend the day collecting the grass and learning how to weave anything from mats to hats! Down time can be spent walking the miles of white sand beach, swimming in the crystal clear waters, or watching the fishermen weave their lobster pots, mend their nets and then set off in their pirogues. If you are after some adventure it is also possible to kite surf in the bay. In the evenings you can hang out with the locals in Virgini's bar, eat freshly caught fish or lobster bought from fishermen on the road and watch village life pass by. 

Leaving St Luce we will travel the short final journey to Fort Dauphin where our trip ends.

Looking for adventure? This is the trip for you!